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The impact of Russian economic sanctions

Saturday, August 9th, 2014

A conservative columnist writes that the embargo imposed on food produce by Russia as a retaliation for Western sanctions will harm Hungary. She suspects that the US is insisting on such harsh sanctions against Moscow in order to strengthen its economic position in Europe. READ MORE

Base rate cut to a record low

Thursday, July 24th, 2014

As the Monetary Council lowers the base rate to a historic low and announces the end of the easing cycle, columnists on both left and right acknowledge that Central Banker Governor Matolcsy’s bold and often criticized steps have proven valid. READ MORE

Hungary’s structural economic dilemmas

Monday, May 26th, 2014

Analysts from right across the political spectrum warn that Hungary should focus more on economic sectors with higher added value, for wages and demand to catch up with western European levels. First and foremost, they believe, the government needs to help Hungarian investors and spend more on education. READ MORE

Far right advance due to flawed economic model

Thursday, April 17th, 2014

An economist warns that Jobbik is the only political party that has managed to raise the real problems most poor people face in their day to day lives, although it has not offered any viable solutions. The government is trying to get rid of a flawed model of economic development, he believes, but the Left mistakenly interprets that effort as a drive to restore Communism. READ MORE

Fears and hopes for the next four years

Monday, April 14th, 2014

Commentators wonder whether or not the next Orbán government will strike a more conciliatory tone, and seek compromises in the economy and in symbolic battles at home and on the European scene. READ MORE

Positive feedback from the IMF

Monday, March 24th, 2014

A conservative columnist interprets the latest IMF report on Hungary as recognition of the success of the efforts made by the Hungarian government to overcome the crisis and restart economic growth. READ MORE

EU recognizes favourable growth forecasts

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Commenting on recent statistics, a pro-government economist contends that PM Orbán has been successful in consolidating the Hungarian economy. The leading left-wing daily cites data from the building industry to underpin its view that the government’s policies have mostly failed. READ MORE

Basic income deemed unrealistic – for different reasons

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

A conservative columnist suspects that the Socialists will promise to introduce a guaranteed basic income for all inhabitants, although they know that the project is infeasible. The leading left-wing daily on the other hand deems the idea technically possible, but as it would be disadvantageous for the middle class, no sane politician will dare to endorse it. READ MORE

GDP growth exceeds expectations

Monday, November 18th, 2013

The leading left-wing daily contends that faster growth has little to do with the government’s unconventional economic policies. A conservative columnist, on the other hand, believes that the Orbán government has managed to put the Hungarian economy back on the right track. READ MORE

Inflation hits record low

Thursday, November 14th, 2013

As the inflation rate slows to a 39 year low, a left-wing commentator warns of the dangers of prices kept artificially low. A conservative columnist, on the other hand, believes that price stability and the increase in disposable incomes adds up to good news for the economy. READ MORE